Covid update - Monday

There were 24 new cases reported in the Hunter Region in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. These new cases take the total number in the local outbreak to 458.

There are currently 291 active cases in the local region. While one local person has died, 166 local people have now fully recovered.

OF THOSE NEW CASES:

7 are from Lake Macquarie LGA

- 2 in Morisset

- 2 in Edgeworth

- 1 in Arcadia Vale

- 1 in Toronto

- 1 in Dora Creek

11 are from Newcastle LGA

- 3 in Shortland

- 2 in Newcastle East

- 1 in Elermore Vale

- 1 in Wallsend

- 1 in Bar Beach

- 1 in Waratah

- 1 in Birmingham Gardens

- 1 in Carrington

3 are from Maitland LGA

- 1 in Rutherford

- 1 in East Maitland

- 1 in Thornton

1 is from Port Stephens LGA

- 1 in Tanilba Bay

1 is from Tamworth LGA

- 1 in Tamworth

(All current exposure sites are on the link below. If a suburb is not on the list, it simply has no current exposure sites)

STATUS AND CLOSE CONTACTS: Of those new cases, 17 are linked,1 is unlinked and 6 are still under investigation. A total of 15 were infectious in the community, 8 were isolating while infectious and 1 is still under investigation.

We still have 742 close contacts isolating in the local region.

13 local people are being cared for in hospital. Two are

in ICU.

EXPOSURE SITES: Hunter-New England Health has named a number of new exposure sites overnight. The latest sites include locations at Toronto (including the courthouse), Glendale, Salt Ash, and Hamilton. Full details below, along with a link to all current exposure sites in the Hunter Region are on my website HERE.

STATEWIDE: There were 935 new cases reported throughout NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. Sadly, another four deaths were recorded over the past 24 hours.

There have been 245 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June 2021 and 301 in total since the start of the pandemic.

There have been 47,058 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in this outbreak was reported.

HOSPITALISATIONS: There are now 1207 people currently being treated for Covid-19 in NSW hospitals, with 236 in ICU and 123 requiring ventilators.

VACCINATIONS: If you're still trying to book a vaccination or bring an existing appointment earlier, this week would be a good week to shop around the GP clinics and pharmacies. The new Pfizer allocation is being distributed this week while the Moderna vaccine is also available now through a number of local pharmacies. Please understand that I can't go out and find appointments for individuals or make any health recommendations, but remember that more than two-thirds of all vaccinations are being done by GP clinics and pharmacies and not the Belmont hub. Try search engines such as HotDoc, HealthEngine, CovidQueue or the Vaccine Clinic Finder HERE.

VACCINATION RATES: Across NSW, 82.2 per cent of the over-16 population has received a first dose COVID-19 vaccine, and 52.7 per cent are fully vaccinated to 11.59pm on Saturday 18 September 2021.

TESTING: Testing rates in the Hunter region remain worrying low. Please don't be complacent. If you experience any symptoms, please get tested as a precaution.

QUESTIONS: Please see my Facebook or Website pages for answers to frequently asked questions. Service NSW also has a 24/7 hotline where people are available to answer questions. You can reach them on 13 77 88.

STAY SAFE, stay vigilant, and stay home unless you absolutely have to go somewhere.